“Our pre-season schedule was extremely challenging and believe it has prepared us for the non-conference component of our schedule,” stated Kern. “The team is really looking forward to playing at home versus USC Upstate on Friday. It will be great to open the season at Greenwood in front of our home fans.

“USC Upstate has a great pre-season as they defeated South Carolina 2-1. They will be a very dangerous team,” added Kern.

Asheville edged the Spartans last year on the road, 2-1 on late goal by Quentin Reynolds.

The Bulldogs have a busy weekend as they’ll host Brevard College on Sunday starting at 3:30 p.m. Friday’s match starts a four-game homestand to begin the season. The Bulldogs entertain VMI (Sept. 5) and Jacksonville (Sept. 7) next weekend.

BULLDOG NOTES

The Bulldogs are 4-0-1 in their last five Greenwood Field openers.

Asheville plays its first four matches at home.

The Bulldogs are 0-2-0 vs. USC Upstate at Greenwood Field.

Asheville was 3-7 in one-goal matches in 2013.

Senior goalkeeper Dan Jackson stopped four of five Clemson PK’s attempts last Saturday night as the teams worked on their PK’s following the match. Asheville won the PK round against the Tigers, 5-0.